Biocontrol Science and Technology (2012) 22, 723-732

Shajahan Johny, George Kyei-Poku, Debbie Gauthier and Kees van Frankenhuyzen (2012)
Isolation and characterisation of Isaria farinosa and Purpureocillium lilacinum associated with emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis in Canada
Biocontrol Science and Technology 22 (6), 723-732
Abstract: Entomopathogenic fungi of the genera Isaria and Purpureocillium were recovered from infestation sites of emerald ash borer (EAB) in Southern Ontario, Canada. Isolates were identified using morphological characters and by sequencing the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 ribosomal DNA gene and partial β-tubulin gene. Phylogenetic analysis and constructed trees based on the ITS and β-tubulin gene explicitly confirm isolates L66B, SY17-a and LHY46-a as Isaria farinosa and B3A, B59A and SY45B-a as Purpureocillium lilacinum. Pathogenicity was tested in the laboratory against adult EAB using a single concentration (2.0×10⁷ conidia/ml) applied topically to adults. Controls included three commercial isolates: Isaria fumosorosea LRC176, Metarhizium brunneum LRC187 and Beauveria bassiana strain GHA. The native isolates I. farinosa L66B and P. lilacinum SY45B-a killed 75 and 50% of the beetles 14 days post-inoculation. Although these indigenous entomogenous fungi were less virulent compared with the commercial isolates, yearly isolation from EAB populations suggests they are one of the natural mortality factors of EAB in Canada.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): George Kyei-Poku, Kees van Frankenhuyzen

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Agrilus planipennis		Canada (east)
Cordyceps farinosa (entomopathogen)	Agrilus planipennis		Canada (east)
Purpureocillium lilacinum (entomopathogen)	Agrilus planipennis		Canada (east)